Thoughts for the Week

Do you hold unique standards in life? Maybe you only mow the lawn on weekends, shop at a certain store once a month, only drink soda for special occasions, or never watch R-rated movies.

Personally, I find it helpful to keep my Sundays as clear of work as possible. That way, I can focus on God and have a good day of rest. Keep in mind I can’t always stick to this standard, but I try.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with placing standards on myself. It’s good to have structure. But it becomes a major problem when people turn their standards into God’s standards.

The Pharisees did this. They made new standards to worship God, and scolded Jesus when he healed a man on a Sabbath (John 5). To them, there should be no work on the day of rest. It was a standard they agreed on, but turned it into something that they thought everyone needed to follow.

It’s sad that these spiritual leaders let their power go to their heads as God clearly stated in Deuteronomy “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (4:2 NIV).

Because he knew better, Jesus didn’t let them pull him into their standards, and continued doing what he knew God wanted him to do. Don’t let people convince you of their additional guidelines and rules and focus on the ones God has given us.